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Cape Lookout Area Boat Ramps and Launch Points

Launch areas for all boat types

Carteret County

Free boating access ramps are provided on the mainland by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The closest ramps to the islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore in Carteret County are listed below. A checkmark (√) symbol indicates those ramps considered fully accessible due to designated disabled user parking, paved walkways to the launch ramps, and barrier free docks.

Access

Body of Water

Boat Access Area

Directions/Notes

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Intracoastal Waterway

Morehead City

Travel east along US 70 2.7 miles form the intersection of US 70 and NC 24, turn right beside Visitor's Center. Area located behind Visitor Center.

Taylor's Creek

Beaufort

From the Beaufort US 70 drawbridge, travel east along US 70 for 1 mile and turn right on Lennoxville Road. Proceed 1.6 miles and the access area is located on the right along the waterfront in Graydon Paul Park.

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North River

Strait's Landing

Travelling east on US 70 from Beaufort, approximately 0.75 miles east of Otway at the intersection of US 70 and SR 1332 (Harkers Island Road), turn right onto SR 1332. Travel approximately 3.8 miles to the area. Area will be located on the right just before crossing the causeway onto Harkers Island.

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Oyster Creek

Oyster Creek

Beginning from the junction of US 70 and NC 101 east of Beaufort, travel east on US 70 for 18.5 miles. The area will be located on the right.

Salters Creek

Salters Creek

From Beaufort travel east on US 70 toward Cedar Island, area located at the northeast end of the high-rise bridge that crosses Nelson's Bay at the community of Sea Level.

Pamlico Sound

Cedar Island

Travel on US 70 east from Beaufort then NC 12 to Cedar Island. Entrance to area is located on Driftwood Road 0.1 mile before state ferry entrance.

Harkers Island

The privately operated marinas on Harkers Island allow boats to launch for a fee. Contact the marina directly for rates.

Ocracoke Island (Cape Hatteras National Seashore)

A public boat ramp is located on the northeast side of the National Park Service public parking lot. Parking at the Ocracoke boat ramp parking lot is limited to 1 week/7days after which all vehicles (including boat trailers, recreational vehicles, etc.) must be removed for at least 24 hours.

Launch Points (No Ramp) for Non-Motorized Small Craft

Harkers Island

The picnic area located directly across the road from the Harkers Island Visitor Center has a small sand beach which may be used as a launch point.

If the wind is out of the southwest, a more protected area is located at the end of the road.

For your safety do not launch in the park's boat basin.

If you are going out overnight you may leave your vehicle in the picnic area parking lot or the visitor center parking lot. The visitor center parking lot is locked at 5:00 pm and reopened at 8:30 am each day. Be sure to let the park rangers in the Visitor Center know you are leaving your vehicle in this lot.

Beaufort Waterfront

At the Jaycees Town Park there is a small sand beach from which to launch. The beach is on Front Street across from the Post Office.

All boats should be launched from the ramp on the northwest side of the public parking lot. However, this ramp is subject to the conditions of the open Pamlico Sound. To obtain permission to launch from the NPS docks into the protected waters of Silver Lake, contact the Ocracoke Visitor Center (phone: 252-928-4531) to make arrangements.